Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
11 Miniterized Langmuir Blodgett Trough
 Xiran Zhang
Zhanlun Ye
Zhanyu Shen
Zhehao Qi
 Muhammad Malik design_document1.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
other7.pdf
proposal2.pdf
 Kemal Celebi
TEAM MEMBERS:

Zhanyu Shen (zhanyus2@illinois.edu 3190110849),

Zhanlun Ye (zhanlun2@illinois.edu 3190110850),

Zhehao Qi (zhehaoq2@illinois.edu 3190110358),

Xiran Zhang (xiranz2@illinois.edu 3190110102)

Title: Miniaturize Langmuir Blodgett trough

PROBLEM: The normal method to produce a nano film is using typical Langmuir-Blodgett film method in which we will use two barriers to control the film area, tension stress and particles' density and directions. However, the nano film is really small and hard to observe and analysis the situation of the film. Normally we use a lifter to obtain a sample and use microscope to observe its quality. This typical method has a problem that this method is really ineffective and hard to control the system.

SOLUTION OVERVIEW:

The project proposed aims to build a miniaturized Langmuir Blodgett trough that is small enough to place under a microscope. This way the microscope can observe the fluidic interfaces and provide information about the real-time changes at the interface. A particular application to observe can be the interfacial assembly of nanoparticles, induced by the barrier movements, changes in the nanomaterial amount, variation of the fluid composition and condition.

SOLUTION COMPONENTS:

Image analysis

The microscope can observe the fluidic interfaces and turn it into an image. Our codes need to analyze the image to see if the particles form a good film by analyzing whether there are large gaps between the particles or whether the particles are in the same direction. After the image analysis is completed, we need to convert the results into corresponding signals to control the movement of barriers, such as vibration or proximity.

Mechanism design

Using PTFE to build a trough, which can hold the water and the testing material. Using delrin to build two barriers, which can control the density, thickness or orientation of the testing materials. Set two step motors to control the barriers and the speed of injection. The whole system is about 13cm x 22cm x 3cm to satisfy the space between microscope's platform and objectives.

CRITERION FOR SUCCESS:

Ideally, we would build a miniaturized Langmuir Blodgett though that is small enough to place under a microscope. Through the microscope we could observe fluidic interfaces and get information about the interface. The purpose of or subject is to build a interface by nanoparticles and manipulate the movement of barrier to make real-time changes, accommodating the amount of nonmaterial, varying the fluid composition and condition. The adjustment would be carried out by image analysis and a real-time feedback system.

DELIVERABLE:

Hardware: a miniaturize LB trough;

Software: Image processing software.

The interface for hardware and software.

DISTRIBUTION OF WORK:

Zhanyu Shen & Zhanlun Ye

Take responsibility for the Mechanical part including the design of PTFE trough, design of the barrier moving system, the syringe pump system and lifter system. We also need to assemble those parts firmly within the limited space underneath the microscope. After all those design work, we need to help to adjust the motors and optimize the whole system.

Xiran Zhang & Zhehao Qi

Build a real-time feedback system whose output would transfer information to electric control system. It would analyze images from microscope and decides whether the interface qualified or not. The preparation of electric control system, respectively control barriers, pump and lifter.

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